passerby

noun

pass·​er·​by ˌpa-sər-ˈbī How to pronounce passerby (audio)
ˈpa-sər-ˌbī
plural passersby ˌpa-sərz-ˈbī How to pronounce passerby (audio)
ˈpa-sərz-ˌbī
: one who passes by
A passerby saw the accident and offered to help.

Examples of passerby in a Sentence

A passerby saw the accident and stopped to help. Passersby were asked if they were registered to vote.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Fire officials said crews were also assisted by a passerby who helped with Spanish translations. Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 3 Feb. 2025 The bride-to-be had no idea that her otherwise picturesque proposal was intruded upon by a nonchalant passerby. Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 28 Jan. 2025 The animal was preparing to make another charge when a passerby drove the cow off. Contributed Content, Twin Cities, 6 Feb. 2025 Days earlier, the nonprofit rescued another bobcat that was brought to the wildlife center after a passerby noticed it in a bush in Pasadena, the shelter said in a Jan. 25 post. Daniella Segura, Sacramento Bee, 3 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for passerby

Word History

First Known Use

1567, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of passerby was in 1567

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Passerby.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/passerby. Accessed 6 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

passerby

noun
pass·​er·​by ˌpas-ər-ˈbī How to pronounce passerby (audio)
plural passersby ˌpas-ərz- How to pronounce passerby (audio)
: one who passes by

More from Merriam-Webster on passerby

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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